The 2014 Legislative Session is past the half way mark, and MADA is aggressively moving forward with our legislative agenda.  MADA began the Session with two major goals: 1) establishment of a motor vehicle board or advisory unit to MVA and 2) updated warranty reimbursement language.  Hearings on both bills were received favorably by the Senate and House Chambers.  The current status is as follows.

Motor Vehicle Board:  Senator Kathy Klausmeier and Delegate Steve Schuh introduced comprehensive legislation to regulate the licensing of dealers in Maryland.   This bill was introduced to handle the licensing and regulation of dealers in Maryland.  This bill gave the Board authority to develop clear practice standards that would be uniform among all vehicle dealers.  This legislation has generated significant discussion among the Department of Transportation, Consumer Rights Groups and all vehicle dealers.  Currently, MADA is having discussions with the MVA about adopting an advisory board to work with the MVA in order to accomplish many of the same tasks as the Motor Vehicle Board.

Warranty Reimbursement:  Senator Raskin and Delegate Frush introduced MADA's warranty reimbursement and "buy local" legislation this year.  MADA's legislation is extremely comprehensive and dealers will be able to petition their manufacturers for greater warranty reimbursement on parts and labor.  The second major component of the legislation allows dealers to use a local vendor for manufacturer required programs.  This law will allow the dealer to realize significant cost savings if a local vendor can accomplish the work along manufacturer specifications.  MADA will be asking for dealer grassroots support to push this bill through, and we need all dealers along with their employees to get mobilized.  The manufacturers are aggressively fighting this legislation.  Dealers, and their employees, can contact their local legislators via this link and may use a form created by MADA. 

Aftermarket Parts:  MADA is working with the Washington Auto Body Association and Alliance of Auto Manufacturers to ensure body shops are not forced to use aftermarket parts by Insurers.  This legislation is drawing significant opposition from all insurers, but legislators are starting to see the consumer benefit in acquiring crash tested OEM parts when their vehicle is fixed after an accident.

In other legislative news, the General Assembly seems positioned to pass a minimum wage hike in this election year.  A bill to raise the wage has already passed the House of Delegates.  Also, there seems to be very little momentum among legislative leaders to repeal or modify the rain tax.  Since, the rain tax is determined on a county by county basis, all changes must be implemented on the local level.

Please contact Travis Martz with questions pertaining to legislative agenda at the Association office, 800.526.7423.   

In efforts to expand the training and educational mission at NADA's Dealer Academy, students are completing no-charge one-day dealership analyses.  Many local automobile dealers are already taking advantage of this service.

If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity (and help a budding General Manager), please sign up for one of the following 2014 scheduled dates.  You may also contact Bill Adkins, the Dealer Academy instructor overseeing this program at 703.760.7598 for more information. 

March 19th   -  April 16th   -   July 23rd   -   August 6th

MADA would like to thank and recognize the following dealerships who have contributed to the Association's Political Action Committee. If your dealership is not on the list, we urge you to get on board today! Your financial contribution allows us to support those Maryland legislators who have put our interests first and who have supported our industry in the past. We must have a presence in Annapolis, but unfortunately that costs money.

If you would like to send in your contribution today, please download the contribution form and return it today.  You may provide a corporate check payable to MNCTDA/PAC and send it to RSM McGladrey, 100 International Dr., Suite 1400, Baltimore, MD 21202. If you have any questions, please contact Charlotte Rutkowski at the Association office, 800.526.7423.

2014 PAC CONTRIBUTORS

GOVERNORS CLUB

BMW Porsche of Towson

Chevy Chase Acura Nissan

Criswell Automotive

Fitzgerald Automotive Group

Ideal Buick GMC Hyundai

Sport Automotive

Thompson Automotive Group

Williams Family Automotive

SENATE CLUB

Baltimore Freightliner

Boyle Buick, Inc.

Freightliner of Hagerstown

Plaza Ford, Inc.

HOUSE CLUB

Academy Ford Sales

Adams Chrysler Dodge Jeep/Ram

Baltimore Mack Trucks, Inc.

Barr International

Bayside Chevrolet, Buick, Toyota

East West Lincoln

Hickory International, Inc.

Hinder Ford

K. Neal International Trucks

Kia of Waldorf

Miller Brothers Chevrolet Olds Cadillac

OTHER

Team One

MADA strongly encourages all dealer members to complete the 2013 Economic Impact Report. This report highlights the tremendous economic impact the automobile industry has on the State of Maryland.  The Association uses this report when dealing with the legislature, governmental agencies and the media.  This is a very important report that cannot be prepared without your help!   

Please take a few minutes to complete the online survey and return it as soon as possible.  This new format is all-electronic allowing you to complete the survey on your computer.  All that you need is to click on this LINK, submit your information online, and click the "Submit" button at the bottom of the webpage.  Your survey response will be sent directly to Auto Outlook.   

If you operate more than one dealership, please complete one survey form for each location. We will provide dealers a copy of the report upon its publication.  We appreciate your participation and thank you in advance for your timely response.

Date/Time: Thursday, March 13 at 1pm Eastern

Presenter:Greg Criss

Cost: $149.00 per person   

You can't fault technicians and advisors from wondering..."Is this a career or a dead end?"  Traditionally, dealership fixed operations does not provide for many avenues to which the rank and file can aspire.  That usually results in the dealership using the pay plan as the primary motivator.  But experts will tell you that employee recognition and career advancement rank higher than money as a primary workplace motivator.  Fixed Ops expert Greg Criss says that dealerships can improve employee retention and morale, as well as attract better applicants by offering a clear career path...a way for them to move up in the business.  This webinar will cover the following:

• How to help technicians and service advisors set achievable career goals
• Ways to identify an employee's knowledge base, skills and other valued assets
• An easy-to-use method for creating accurate job descriptions
• The role of "special projects" in career pathing
• How to start a coaching/mentoring program for service employees

#2:  Keys to Shrinking WIP and Unapplied Labor

Date/Time: Thursday, March 20 at 1pm Eastern

Presenter: Rob Campbell of the Mironov Group 

Cost: $149.00 per person